6 Traits of Writing

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6 Traits of Writing

• Organization

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Writing with good organization has

• A strong and enticing lead your reader should
  want to keep reading!
• Easy to follow structure.
• Strong, clear transitions one subtopic should
  flow naturally into the next.
• Good pacing dont get bogged down!
• A thoughtful, satisfying conclusion.

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6 Tips of Success in Organization

1. Spend time on a good lead its worth it!
2. Have a center (a focus) your support ideas
   should revolve around it.
3. Gather information in chunks put ideas together
   that go together and get rid of any unnecessary
   information.
4. Make a pattern or design the kind of writing
   youre doing should match the way you structure
   your information.
5. Make connections clear EVERY TIME you write a
   sentence, ask if it connects to the main idea.
6. End with flair!

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Ways to Begin

• Make a bold statement that startles the reader.
• Begin with a little-known fact.
• Open with a quotation.
• Be Funny!
• Set the scene with a vivid description.
• Remind readers of something most people think is
  true something youre about to show is false or
  exaggerated.
• Start with a hint about the conclusion, but dont
  tell everything!
• Ask a question just make sure its an
  interesting one the reader would want you to
  answer!
• Be provocative.

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Ways to End

• Suggest a conclusion you hope your reader drew
  also.
• Tell something you learned about the world or
  yourself.
• Tell one thing youll always remember.
• Tell something that surprised, startled,
  disappointed, or pleased you.
• Raise a new, related question.
• Surprise the reader.
• End with a quotation that connects to the main
  idea.
• Sum it up IF you can do it using slightly
  different words, or with a twist.

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What NOT to Do!

• Do NOT start with the beginning! Write your
  body first, then let it inform your introduction.
• Show, dont tell Dont tell your reader what
  youre going to write about, just start writing!
• Did you know is not the way to go if youre
  writing an expository essay, you should already
  assume the reader doesnt know as much about the
  topic as you do.
• Dont assume your reader cares about your topic
  your job is to MAKE your reader care, to MAKE it
  interesting to your reader.

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Little Red Riding Hooks

• BORING Once upon a time, there lived a little
  girl with a red riding hood...
• BETTER
• Her hair shone gold.
• The wolf was a tornado, changing the lives of all
  who crossed his path.
• Who could have thought that a simple trip to
  Grandmas house could end in tragedy?
• Though the road to Grandmas house was spooky,
  Red skipped along with an air of confidence.
• Who has big eyes, big teeth, and is dressed in
  Grandmas clothes? You guessed it, the Big Bad
  Wolf.
• Little Red was the kind of girl who thought
  wolves would never bother her.
• You might be surprised to learn that a little
  girl couldnt recognize her own grandmother.